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Sophomore year

Though sophomore year can feel like a bit of a slump to some students, it’s actually a great time to build a college resume’ and gain volunteer or work experience. By now, your student may have a rough idea of the types of academic subjects or career paths that might appeal to them in future and so it could be beneficial for them to chat with teachers, coaches or guidance counselors about how they can pursue these interests. Finding a mentor in these areas could help your student foster connections and gain some first-hand knowledge to help in their decisions later.

Checklist

Continue building your student’s college resume’ by listing out academic, volunteer and community involvement. Download a free resume template here.

If you’ve not already started, open a savings account specifically for college tuition and costs.

Encourage your student to find a mentor within school or out who shares their career interests.

Sign your student up for the Aspire test. This is designed to give students an idea how they may perform in the ACT test, and helps to identify any academic areas where additional study may be needed. What’s more, it gives students a chance to get more comfortable with the pressures of important tests.

What is the ACT Aspire Test

ACT Aspire testing is designed to provide a perspective on student readiness for the ACT test, in each academic category. This enables you to identify any areas where your student may need a little extra work or help to achieve their best performance in the ACT test. It also provides suggestions on possible career paths and academic major areas for college.

Check with your school to see if ACT Aspire testing is available.

Remind your student that their GPA counts. Every grade earned in high school affects final GPA, which can influence college acceptance and scholarships.

If your student needs a little extra help maintaining their GPA, check out free tutoring services like the Khan Academy.